Madeline Pendleton Makes A Strong Case For “The Monokini”

Madeline, founder of Shop Tunnel Vision, is a fashionista whose entire Instagram account serves as an endless source for style inspiration. From the sexiest piece of clothing she owns to her honest thoughts on the “monokini,” Madeline answers some of our favorite #GaloreGirl questions below.

What’s the sexiest piece of clothing you own?

This is a perfect question for me because a lot of my clothing is black, tight, and transparent. I think my go-to piece when I want to be very “Yow! Sexy lady!” is the Mesh Garter Crop Top I designed for Bad Vibes. It’s a mesh top with garter clips and it’s inspired by vintage lingerie. I love pairing it with a mini skirt and a motorcycle jacket when I go out at night.

What’s the secret to the best Instagram post? Or better yet, the secret to the best OOTD pic?

I think the secret is to not judge yourself too harshly. A lot of my most well-received posts on Instagram are not my favorite photos of myself. I think that’s because we have a tendency to be our own worst critic. I might look at a picture of myself and think, “Why are my eyes half-closed?” or “What is this dorky pose I’m doing?” or “Why does it look like I’m in the middle of chewing something? Was I eating in this picture?!” but those photos are usually the most well-received on Instagram.

What are your thoughts on that?

Well, no matter how much we try to cultivate this really “cool” version of ourselves on the internet, people respond better to the real us. People like to see each other at our most natural. It’s refreshing and relatable, especially in a world where we see traditionally “perfect” looking people all around us every day. The fewer filters you use, the less perfectly-posed you are, the more engaging you’ll be, because people feel like they’re seeing the real you, and that’s what’s inspiring.

If you had to wear one outfit for the entire year of 2016, what would it be?

Something about the monokini reminds me of the good ol’ Xtina days and I LOVE it. To be honest, though, I love every type of clothing because even if it’s not a piece I’d personally wear, I know someone out there is rockin’ it.

Which city has the best shopping?

I’m a thrift and vintage junkie, so to me, the best shopping happens in the smallest towns. Recently on a road trip, I stopped in Amarillo, Texas and fell in LOVE. It was a vintage junkie’s dream come true! Amarillo had the best thrift shops I’ve seen in a long time: well-stocked, fairly-priced, and not picked-over.

Who is your biggest style icon?

Debbie Harry! Is that cliche? She just had such an interesting yet effortless approach to fashion. It never looked like she was trying too hard, but it always looked like she was having fun.

What’s your personal stance on piercings and tattoos? Do you have any? Why or why not?

I currently have ten tattoos and two piercings, plus six more piercings that I’ve removed! When I was in high school, I worked as a piercing apprentice on occasion, and I had a good friend who was learning to be a tattoo artist. I got a lot of tattoos in garages and kitchens by people who were learning the trade. At the time, I thought it was good not to take my appearance too seriously. In my head, bad tattoos would insure that I never put too much effort into being conventionally “pretty” — it was almost like a commitment to my value system. Piercings are great because they’re so temporary; they can be removed, and all that’s left is a barely-there mark. Tattoos, however, are a totally different story.

How so?

A couple of years ago, someone I met at a party told me, “Tattoos never made much sense to me. It’s like picking out a shirt that you have to wear for the rest of your life.” Let’s just say I wish I had met that stranger when I was 16 because he was totally right! Now I’m stuck with a bunch of tattoos that teenage Madeline thought were totally “tight” and adult Madeline thinks are totally passe.

If you were a flavor of ice cream, would you be?

Probably a vegan lemon sorbet — not for everyone, a little self-righteous, and kind of sour.

On a scale of prude to nudist beach enthusiast, where do you stand?

I have two looks: 12-year old boy and gothic exhibitionist. So I would say I’m a strong 1 and 10 on the scale, and rarely fall in the middle.

Do you believe in ghosts?

No, ghosts are totally irrational and scientifically impossible, but that being said, I definitely once lived in a haunted house. Ah, isn’t life so full of hypocrisy and contradiction?

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